Detergent compositions comprising specific amylase and a specific surfactant system

ABSTRACT

The present invention relates to detergent compositions comprising an oxidative stability-enhanced amylase and a surfactant system wherein the anionic to nonionic surfactants ratio is from 1:1 to 5:1, preferably from 1:1 to 3:1. Such compositions provide improved cleaning and stain removal performance.

This application claims benefit of provisional application No. 60/001,338, filed Jul. 24, 1995.

TECHNICAL FIELD

The present invention relates to detergent compositions comprising an oxidative stability-enhanced amylase and a specific surfactant system wherein the anionic to nonionic surfactants ratio is between 1:1 and 5:1.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

It is common commercial practice to include amylases in detergent compositions to enhance cleaning performance.

Indeed, amylase enzymes have long been recognised in dishwashing, hard surface cleaning and laundry compositions to provide the removal of starchy food residues or starchy films from dishware, flatware, glasses and hard surfaces or to provide cleaning performance on starchy soils as well as other soils typically encountered in laundry applications.

WO/94/02597, Novo Nordisk A/S published Feb. 03, 1994, describes cleaning compositions which incorporate mutant amylases. See also WO/94/18314, Genencor, published Aug. 18, 1994 and WO/95/10603, Novo Nordisk A/S, published Apr. 20, 1995. Other amylases known for use in cleaning compositions include both α- and β-amylases. α-Amylases are known in the art and include those disclosed in U.S. Pat. No. 5,003,257; EP 252,666; WO/91/00353; FR 2,676,456; EP 285,123; EP 525,610; EP 368,341; and British Patent specification no. 1,296,839 (Novo). Examples of commercial α-amylases products are Termamyl®, Ban® and Fungamyl®, all available from Novo Nordisk A/S Denmark.

It is equally well recognised that amylase deactivation occurs in detergent formulations. The loss of activity of the amylase is among others depending on the presence of adjunct detergent ingredients. One type of adjunct detergent ingredients is the surfactants.

A wide variety of detersive surfactants are known in the literature and in commercial practice. They perform a dual function within the detergent matrix. First, surfactant molecules reduce the interfacial tension between the soil and aqueous phase and thereby gradually remove the stain from the surface by a roll-up, emulsification or solubilisation mechanism. Anionic surfactants are particularly suitable for this function. Secondly, surfactant molecules keep the soil in suspension and prevent redeposition onto the surface. Ethoxylated nonionic and anionic surfactants traditionally serve that purpose.

Therefore, while amylase is known to act on starch stains, there remains a substantial technical challenge in formulating detergent compositions comprising amylase and surfactants in such a manner to meet the consumer's need for superior cleaning performance on soils and in particular, starchy soils.

It is therefore an object of the present invention to provide detergent compositions including laundry, dishwashing and hard surface cleaner, containing oxidative stability-enhanced amylases and surfactants in order to meet the above need.

It is a further objective to formulate laundry detergent compositions which provide effective and efficient surface cleaning of textile, particularly on dingy stains.

It has now surprisingly been found that optimised applications of oxidative stability-enhanced amylase enzymes into detergent compositions is obtained when they are combined with a surfactant system with a specific anionic to nonionic surfactants ratio. In particular, it has been found that these oxidative stability-enhanced amylases in combination with an anionic to nonionic surfactants ratio between 1:1 and 5:1, preferably between 1:1 and 3:1 provide synergistic benefits in the removal of both traditional and specific amylase sensitive stains.

This finding allows either improved performance or a reduction of the surfactant/amylase levels while keeping the same detergency performance.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

The present invention relates to detergent compositions comprising an oxidative stability-enhanced amylase and a surfactant system wherein the anionic to nonionic surfactants ratio is between 1:1 and 5:1, preferably between 1:1 and 3:1.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

Oxidative stability-enhanced Amylase

An essential component of the detergent compositions of the present invention is a "oxidative stability-enhanced" amylase selected from:

(a) stability-enhanced amylases including Purafact Ox Am® described in WO 94/18314, published Aug. 18, 1994. Therein it was noted that improved oxidative stability amylases have been made by Genencor from B. lichenformis NCIB8061. Methionine (Met) was identified as the most likely residue to be modified. Met was substituted, one at a time, in positions 8, 15, 197, 256, 304, 366 and 438 leading to specific mutants, particularly important being M197L and M197T with the M197T variant being the most stable expressed variant;

(b) amylase variants having additional modification in the immediate parent available from Novo Nordisk A/S. These amylases disclosed in WO 95/10603, published April 95, are known by the Tradename Duramyl®.

Said oxidative stability-enhanced amylase are comprised in the detergent formulations of the present invention at a level of 0.0001% to 0.1%, preferably of 0.0002% to 0.06%, more preferably of 0.0003% to 0.05% pure enzyme by weight of total composition.

Amylase are known to hydrolyse sugars and starches, rendering them more soluble and more easily removable by the surfactant system. Such enzymatic hydrolysis achieves stain removal benefits on incidental stains.

Even in the absence of amylase-sensitive stains, cleaning benefits are observed. Without wishing to be bound by any theory, another potential mechanism of action could indeed be found in the enzymatic hydrolysis of polysaccharides contained at the surface of plant cell walls. Said polysaccharides are binding non amylase-sensitive stains to the surface to be cleaned.

The detergent compositions of the present invention when formulated as laundry composition, provide effective and efficient fabric cleaning, particularly on dingy stains. Dingy stains are found typically on pillow cases, T-shirts and sock bottom. They are thought to be the result of a combination of fatty soils lipids, proteins, pigments with particulate soils : airbone soil and ground dust.

Without wishing to be bound by any theory, it is believed that carbohydrates and especially high molecular weight starches adhere to fabrics and bind other materials as particulate soil to the fabric, hampering their removal. Enzymatic hydrolysis of stains and soils in presence of said specific anionic/nonionic surfactant ratio is improved.

Surfactant system

The detergent compositions according to the present invention comprise a surfactant system wherein the anionic to nonionic surfactant ratio is from 1:1 to 5:1, preferably from 1:1 to 3:1.

The surfactant is typically present at a level of from 0.1% to 60% by weight. More preferred levels of incorporation are 1% to 35% by weight, most preferably from 1% to 30% by weight of laundry and rinse added fabric softener compositions in accordance with the present invention.

Preferred systems to be used according to the present invention comprise as a surfactant one or more of the nonionic and/or anionic surfactants described herein.

Polyethylene, polypropylene, and polybytylene oxide condensates of alkyl phenols are suitable for use as the nonionic surfactant of the surfactant systems of the present invention, with the polyethylene oxide condensates being preferred. These compounds include the condensation products of alkyl phenols having an alkyl group containing from about 6 to about 14 carbon atoms, preferably from about 8 to about 14 carbon atoms, in either a straight-chain or branched-chain configuration with the alkylene oxide. In a preferred embodiment, the ethylene oxide is present in an amount equal to from about 2 to about 25 moles, more preferably from about 3 to about 15 moles, of ethylene oxide per mole of alkyl phenol. Commercially available nonionic surfactants of this type include Igepal™ CO-630, marketed by the GAF Corporation; and Triton™ X-45, X-114, X-100 and X-102, all marketed by the Rohm & Haas Company. These surfactants are commonly referred to as alkylphenol alkoxylates (e.g., alkyl phenol ethoxylates).

The condensation products of primary and secondary aliphatic alcohols with from about 1 to about 25 moles of ethylene oxide are suitable for use as the nonionic surfactant of the nonionic surfactant systems of the present invention. The alkyl chain of the aliphatic alcohol can either be straight or branched, primary or secondary, and generally contains from about 8 to about 22 carbon atoms. Preferred are the condensation products of alcohols having an alkyl group containing from about 8 to about 20 carbon atoms, more preferably from about 10 to about 18 carbon atoms, with from about 2 to about 10 moles of ethylene oxide per mole of alcohol. About 2 to about 7 moles of ethylene oxide and most preferably from 2 to 5 moles of ethylene oxide per mole of alcohol are present in said condensation products. Examples of commercially available nonionic surfactants of this type include Tergitol™ 15-S-9 (the condensation product of C₁₁ -C₁₅ linear alcohol with 9 moles ethylene oxide), Tergitol™ 24-L-6 NMW (the condensation product of C₁₂ -C₁₄ primary alcohol with 6 moles ethylene oxide with a narrow molecular weight distribution), both marketed by Union Carbide Corporation; Neodol™ 45-9 (the condensation product of C₁₄ -C₁₅ linear alcohol with 9 moles of ethylene oxide), Neodol™ 23-3 (the condensation product of C₁₂ -C₁₃ linear alcohol with 3.0 moles of ethylene oxide), Neodol™ 45-7 (the condensation product of C₁₄ -C₁₅ linear alcohol with 7 moles of ethylene oxide), Neodol™ 45-5 (the condensation product of C₁₄ -C₁₅ linear alcohol with 5 moles of ethylene oxide) marketed by Shell Chemical Company, Kyro™ EOB (the condensation product of C₁₃ -C₁₅ alcohol with 9 moles ethylene oxide), marketed by The Procter & Gamble Company, and Genapol LA O3O or O5O (the condensation product of C₁₂ -C₁₄ alcohol with 3 or 5 moles of ethylene oxide) marketed by Hoechst. Preferred range of HLB in these products is from 8-11 and most preferred from 8-10.

Also useful as the nonionic surfactant of the surfactant systems of the present invention are the alkylpolysaccharides disclosed in U.S. Pat. No. 4,565,647, LLenado, issued Jan. 21, 1986, having a hydrophobic group containing from about 6 to about 30 carbon atoms, preferably from about 10 to about 16 carbon atoms and a polysaccharide, e.g. a polyglycoside, hydrophilic group containing from about 1.3 to about 10, preferably from about 1.3 to about 3, most preferably from about 1.3 to about 2.7 saccharide units. Any reducing saccharide containing 5 or 6 carbon atoms can be used, e.g., glucose, galactose and galactosyl moieties can be substituted for the glucosyl moieties (optionally the hydrophobic group is attached at the 2-, 3-, 4-, etc. positions thus giving a glucose or galactose as opposed to a glucoside or galactoside). The intersaccharide bonds can be, e.g., between the one position of the additional saccharide units and the 2-, 3-, 4-, and/or 6- positions on the preceding saccharide units.

The preferred alkylpolyglycosides have the formula

    R.sup.2 O(C.sub.n H.sub.2n O).sub.t (glycosyl).sub.x

wherein R² is selected from the group consisting of alkyl, alkylphenyl, hydroxyalkyl, hydroxyalkylphenyl, and mixtures thereof in which the alkyl groups contain from about 10 to about 18, preferably from about 12 to about 14, carbon atoms; n is 2 or 3, preferably 2; t is from 0 to about 10, preferably 0; and x is from about 1.3 to about 10, preferably from about 1.3 to about 3, most preferably from about 1.3 to about 2.7. The glycosyl is preferably derived from glucose. To prepare these compounds, the alcohol or alkylpolyethoxy alcohol is formed first and then reacted with glucose, or a source of glucose, to form the glucoside (attachment at the 1-position). The additional glycosyl units can then be attached between their 1-position and the preceding glycosyl units 2-, 3-, 4- and/or 6-position, preferably predominately the 2-position.

The condensation products of ethylene oxide with a hydrophobic base formed by the condensation of propylene oxide with propylene glycol are also suitable for use as the additional nonionic surfactant systems of the present invention. The hydrophobic portion of these compounds will preferably have a molecular weight of from about 1500 to about 1800 and will exhibit water insolubility. The addition of polyoxyethylene moieties to this hydrophobic portion tends to increase the water solubility of the molecule as a whole, and the liquid character of the product is retained up to the point where the polyoxyethylene content is about 50% of the total weight of the condensation product, which corresponds to condensation with up to about 40 moles of ethylene oxide. Examples of compounds of this type include certain of the commercially-available Pluronic™ surfactants, marketed by BASF.

Also suitable for use as the nonionic surfactant of the nonionic surfactant system of the present invention, are the condensation products of ethylene oxide with the product resulting from the reaction of propylene oxide and ethylenediamine. The hydrophobic moiety of these products consists of the reaction product of ethylenediamine and excess propylene oxide, and generally has a molecular weight of from about 2500 to about 3000. This hydrophobic moiety is condensed with ethylene oxide to the extent that the condensation product contains from about 40% to about 80% by weight of polyoxyethylene and has a molecular weight of from about 5,000 to about 11,000. Examples of this type of nonionic surfactant include certain of the commercially available Tetronic™ compounds, marketed by BASF.

Preferred for use as the nonionic surfactant of the surfactant systems of the present invention are polyethylene oxide condensates of alkyl phenols, condensation products of primary and secondary aliphatic alcohols with from about 1 to about 25 moles of ethylene oxide, alkylpolysaccharides, and mixtures thereof. Most preferred are C₈ -C₁₄ alkyl phenol ethoxylates having from 3 to 15 ethoxy groups and C₈ -C₁₈ alcohol ethoxylates (preferably C₁₀ avg.) having from 2 to 10 ethoxy groups, and mixtures thereof.

Highly preferred nonionic surfactants are polyhydroxy fatty acid amide surfactants of the formula. ##STR1## wherein R¹ is H, or R¹ is C₁₋₄ hydrocarbyl, 2-hydroxy ethyl, 2-hydroxy propyl or a mixture thereof, R² is C₅₋₃₁ hydrocarbyl, and Z is a polyhydroxyhydrocarbyl having a linear hydrocarbyl chain with at least 3 hydroxyls directly connected to the chain, or an alkoxylated derivative thereof. Preferably, R¹ is methyl, R² is a straight C₁₁₋₁₅ alkyl or C₁₆₋₁₈ alkyl or alkenyl chain such as coconut alkyl or mixtures thereof, and Z is derived from a reducing sugar such as glucose, fructose, maltose, lactose, in a reductive amination reaction.

The most preferred nonionic surfactants to be included in the detergent compositions of the present invention are condensation products of linear or branched alcohols (C12-C15) with ethylene oxide and polyhydroxy fatty acid amides such as N-Cocoyl N-methyl glucamine.

When included in such laundry detergent compositions, the nonionic surfactant systems of the present invention act to improve the greasy/oily stain removal properties of such laundry detergent compositions across a broad range of cleaning conditions.

Highly preferred anionic surfactants include alkyl alkoxylated sulfate surfactants hereof are water soluble salts or acids of the formula RO(A)_(m) SO₃ M wherein R is an unsubstituted C₁₀ -C₂₄ alkyl or hydroxyalkyl group having a C₁₀ -C₂₄ alkyl component, preferably a C₁₂ -C₂₀ alkyl or hydroxyalkyl, more preferably C₁₂ -C₁₈ alkyl or hydroxyalkyl, A is an ethoxy or propoxy unit, m is greater than zero, typically between about 0.5 and about 6, more preferably between about 0.5 and about 3, and M is H or a cation which can be, for example, a metal cation (e.g., sodium, potassium, lithium, calcium, magnesium, etc.), ammonium or substituted-ammonium cation. Alkyl ethoxylated sulfates as well as alkyl propoxylated sulfates are contemplated herein. Specific examples of substituted ammonium cations include methyl-, dimethyl, trimethyl-ammonium cations and quaternary ammonium cations such as tetramethyl-ammonium and dimethyl piperdinium cations and those derived from alkylamines such as ethylamine, diethylamine, triethylamine, mixtures thereof, and the like. Exemplary surfactants are C₁₂ -C₁₈ alkyl polyethoxylate (1.0) sulfate (C₁₂ -C₁₈ E(1.0)M), C₁₂ -C₁₈ alkyl polyethoxylate (2.25) sulfate (C₁₂ -C₁₈ E(2.25)M), C₁₂ -C₁₈ alkyl polyethoxylate (3.0) sulfate (C₁₂ -C₁₈ E(3.0)M), and C₁₂ -C₁₈ alkyl polyethoxylate (4.0) sulfate (C₁₂ -C₁₈ E(4.0)M), wherein M is conveniently selected from sodium and potassium.

Suitable anionic surfactants to be used are alkyl ester sulfonate surfactants including linear esters of C₈ -C₂₀ carboxylic acids (i.e., fatty acids) which are sulfonated with gaseous SO₃ according to "The Journal of the American Oil Chemists Society", 52 (1975), pp. 323-329. Suitable starting materials would include natural fatty substances as derived from tallow, palm oil, etc. The preferred alkyl ester sulfonate surfactant, especially for laundry applications, comprise alkyl ester sulfonate surfactants of the structural formula: ##STR2## wherein R³ is a C₈ -C₂₀ hydrocarbyl, preferably an alkyl, or combination thereof, R⁴ is a C₁ -C₆ hydrocarbyl, preferably an alkyl, or combination thereof, and M is a cation which forms a water soluble salt with the alkyl ester sulfonate. Suitable salt-forming cations include metals such as sodium, potassium, and lithium, and substituted or unsubstituted ammonium cations, such as monoethanolamine, diethanolamine, and triethanolamine. Preferably, R³ is C₁₀ -C₁₆ alkyl, and R⁴ is methyl, ethyl or isopropyl. Especially preferred are the methyl ester sulfonates wherein R³ is C₁₀ -C₁₆ alkyl.

Other suitable anionic surfactants include the alkyl sulfate surfactants which are water soluble salts or acids of the formula ROSO₃ M wherein R preferably is a C₁₀ -C₂₄ hydrocarbyl, preferably an alkyl or hydroxyalkyl having a C₁₀ -C₂₀ alkyl component, more preferably a C₁₂ -C₁₈ alkyl or hydroxyalkyl, and M is H or a cation, e.g., an alkali metal cation (e.g. sodium, potassium, lithium), or ammonium or substituted ammonium (e.g. methyl-, dimethyl-, and trimethyl ammonium cations and quaternary ammonium cations such as tetramethyl-ammonium and dimethyl piperdinium cations and quaternary ammonium cations derived from alkylamines such as ethylamine, diethylamine, triethylamine, and mixtures thereof, and the like). Typically, alkyl chains of C₁₂ -C₁₆ are preferred for lower wash temperatures (e.g. below about 50° C.) and C₁₆₋₁₈ alkyl chains are preferred for higher wash temperatures (e.g. above about 50° C.).

Other anionic surfactants useful for detersive purposes can also be included in the laundry detergent compositions of the present invention. These can include salts (including, for example, sodium, potassium, ammonium, and substituted ammonium salts such as mono-, di- and triethanolamine salts) of soap, C₈ -C₂₂ primary of secondary alkanesulfonates, C₈ -C₂₄ olefinsulfonates, sulfonated polycarboxylic acids prepared by sulfonation of the pyrolyzed product of alkaline earth metal citrates, e.g., as described in British patent specification No. 1,082,179, C₈ -C₂₄ alkylpolyglycolethersulfates (containing up to 10 moles of ethylene oxide); alkyl glycerol sulfonates, fatty acyl glycerol sulfonates, fatty oleyl glycerol sulfates, alkyl phenol ethylene oxide ether sulfates, paraffin sulfonates, alkyl phosphates, isethionates such as the acyl isethionates, N-acyl taurates, alkyl succinamates and sulfosuccinates, monoesters of sulfosuccinates (especially saturated and unsaturated C₁₂ -C₁₈ monoesters) and diesters of sulfosuccinates (especially saturated and unsaturated C₆ -C₁₂ diesters), acyl sarcosinates, sulfates of alkylpolysaccharides such as the sulfates of alkylpolyglucoside (the nonionic nonsulfated compounds being described below), branched primary alkyl sulfates, and alkyl polyethoxy carboxylates such as those of the formula RO(CH₂ CH₂ O)_(k) --CH₂ COO--M+ wherein R is a C₈ -C₂₂ alkyl, k is an integer from 1 to 10, and M is a soluble salt-forming cation. Resin acids and hydrogenated resin acids are also suitable, such as rosin, hydrogenated rosin, and resin acids and hydrogenated resin acids present in or derived from tall oil.

Further examples are described in "Surface Active Agents and Detergents" (Vol. I and II by Schwartz, Perry and Berch). A variety of such surfactants are also generally disclosed in U.S. Pat. No. 3,929,678, issued Dec. 30, 1975 to Laughlin, et al. at Column 23, line 58 through Column 29, line 23 (herein incorporated by reference).

Most preferred anionic surfactants to be included in the detergent compositions of the present invention are linear alkyl benzene sulfonates, alkyl sulfate and alkyl ethoxy sulfate.

High preferred combinations of anionic/nonionic surfactants are anionic surfactants selected from linear alkyl benzene sulfonates, alkyl sulfates and/or alkyl ethoxy sulfates with nonionic surfactants selected from alkyl polyglucosides, polyhydroxy fatty acid amines, alcohol ethoxylates and/or alcohol phenol ethoxylates. The preferred anionic/nonionic surfactant system to be included in the detergent compositions of the present invention is linear alkyl benzene sulfonates / Alcohol ethoxylate.

Detergent components

The detergent compositions of the invention may also contain additional detergent components. The precise nature of these additional components, and levels of incorporation thereof will depend on the physical form of the composition, and the nature of the cleaning operation for which it is to be used.

The compositions of the invention may for example, be formulated as hard surface cleaner, hand and machine dishwashing compositions, hand and machine laundry detergent compositions including laundry additive compositions and compositions suitable for use in the soaking and/or pretreatment of stained fabrics, rinse added fabric softener compositions.

When formulated as compositions for use in manual dishwashing methods the compositions of the invention preferably contain a surfactant and preferably other detergent compounds selected from organic polymeric compounds, suds enhancing agents, group II metal ions, solvents, hydrotropes and additional enzymes.

When formulated as compositions suitable for use in a laundry machine washing method, the compositions of the invention preferably contain both a surfactant and a builder compound and additionally one or more detergent components preferably selected from organic polymeric compounds, bleaching agents, additional enzymes, suds suppressors, dispersants, lime-soap dispersants, soil suspension and anti-redeposition agents and corrosion inhibitors. Laundry compositions can also contain softening agents, as additional detergent components.

The compositions of the invention can also be used as detergent additive products. Such additive products are intended to supplement or boost the performance of conventional detergent compositions.

If needed the density of the granular laundry detergent compositions herein ranges from 400 to 1200 g/liter, preferably 600 to 950 g/liter of composition measured at 20° C.

The "compact" form of the granular laundry detergent compositions herein is best reflected by density and, in terms of composition, by the amount of inorganic filler salt; inorganic filler salts are conventional ingredients of detergent compositions in powder form; in conventional detergent compositions, the filler salts are present in substantial amounts, typically 17-35% by weight of the total composition.

In the compact compositions, the filler salt is present in amounts not exceeding 15% of the total composition, preferably not exceeding 10%, most preferably not exceeding 5% by weight of the composition.

The inorganic filler salts, such as meant in the present compositions are selected from the alkali and alkaline-earth-metal salts of sulphates and chlorides.

A preferred filler salt is sodium sulphate.

Liquid detergent compositions according to the present invention can also be in a "concentrated form", in such case, the liquid detergent compositions according the present invention will contain a lower amount of water, compared to conventional liquid detergents.

Typically the water content of the concentrated liquid detergent is preferably less than 40%, more preferably less than 30%, most preferably less than 20% by weight of the detergent composition.

Additional surfactant system

The detergent compositions according to the present invention can additionally comprise a surfactant system wherein the surfactant can be selected from cationic and/or ampholytic and/or zwitterionic and/or semi-polar surfactants.

The surfactant is typically present at a level of from 0.1% to 60% by weight. More preferred levels of incorporation are 1% to 35% by weight, most preferably from 1% to 20% by weight of laundry and rinse added fabric softener compositions in accord with the invention.

The detergent composition of the present invention may preferably further comprise a cosurfactant selected from the group of primary or tertiary amines.

Suitable primary amines for use herein include amines according to the formula R₁ NH₂ wherein R₁ is a C₆ -C₁₂, preferably C₆ -C₁₀ alkyl chain or R₄ X(CH₂)_(n), X is --O--, --C(O)NH-- or --NH--, R₄ is a C₆ -C₁₂ alkyl chain n is between 1 to 5, preferably 3. R₁ alkyl chains may be straight or branched and may be interrupted with up to 12, preferably less than 5 ethylene oxide moieties.

Preferred amines according to the formula herein above are n-alkyl amines. Suitable amines for use herein may be selected from 1-hexylamine, 1-octylamine, 1-decylamine and laurylamine. Other preferred primary amines include C8-C10 oxypropylamine, octyloxypropylamine, 2-ethylhexyl-oxypropylamine, lauryl amido propylamine and amido propylamine.

Suitable tertiary amines for use herein include tertiary amines having the formula R₁ R₂ R₃ N wherein R1 and R2 are C₁ -C₈ alkylchains or ##STR3## R₃ is either a C₆ -C₁₂, preferably C₆ -C₁₀ alkyl chain, or R₃ is R₄ X(CH₂)_(n), whereby X is --O--, --C(O)NH-- or --NH--, R₄ is a C₄ -C₁₂, n is between 1 to 5, preferably 2-3. R₅ is H or C₁ -C₂ alkyl and x is between 1 to 6.

R₃ and R₄ may be linear or branched; R₃ alkyl chains may be interrupted with up to 12, preferably less than 5, ethylene oxide moieties.

Preferred tertiary amines are R₁ R₂ R₃ N where R1 is a C6-C12 alkyl chain, R2 and R3 are C1-C3 alkyl or ##STR4## where R5 is H or CH3 and x=1-2.

Also preferred are the amidoamines of the formula: ##STR5## wherein R₁ is C₆ -C₁₂ alkyl; n is 2-4, preferably n is 3; R₂ and R₃ is C₁ -C₄.

Most preferred amines of the present invention include 1-octylamine, 1-hexylamine, 1-decylamine, 1-dodecylamine, C8-10oxypropylamine, N coco 1-3diaminopropane, coconutalkyldimethylamine, lauryldimethylamine, lauryl bis(hydroxyethyl)amine, coco bis(hydroxyethyl)amine, lauryl amine 2 moles propoxylated, octyl amine 2 moles propoxylated, lauryl amidopropyldimethylamine, C8-10 amidopropyldimethylamine and C10 amidopropyldimethylamine. The most preferred amines for use in the compositions herein are 1-hexylamine, 1-octylamine, 1-decylamine, 1-dodecylamine. Especially desirable are n-dodecyldimethylamine and bishydroxyethylcoconutalkylamine and oleylamine 7 times ethoxylated, lauryl amido propylamine and cocoamido propylamine.

The laundry detergent compositions of the present invention may also contain cationic, ampholytic, zwitterionic, and semi-polar surfactants, as well as the nonionic and/or anionic surfactants other than those already described herein. Cationic detersive surfactants suitable for use in the laundry detergent compositions of the present invention are those having one long-chain hydrocarbyl group. Examples of such cationic surfactants include the ammonium surfactants such as alkyltrimethylammonium halogenides, and those surfactants having the formula:

    [R.sup.2 (OR.sup.3).sub.y ] [R.sup.4 (OR.sup.3).sub.y ].sub.2 R.sup.5 N+X-

wherein R² is an alkyl or alkyl benzyl group having from about 8 to about 18 carbon atoms in the alkyl chain, each R³ is selected from the group consisting of --CH₂ CH₂ --, --CH₂ CH(CH₃)--, --CH₂ CH (CH₂ OH)--, --CH₂ CH₂ CH₂ --, and mixtures thereof; each R⁴ is selected from the group consisting of C₁ -C₄ alkyl, C₁ -C₄ hydroxyalkyl, benzyl ring structures formed by joining the two R⁴ groups, --CH₂ CHOH-- CHOHCOR⁶ CHOHCH₂ OH wherein R⁶ is any hexose or hexose polymer having a molecular weight less than about 1000, and hydrogen when y is not 0; R⁵ is the same as R⁴ or is an alkyl chain wherein the total number of carbon atoms of R² plus R⁵ is not more than about 18; each y is from 0 to about 10 and the sum of the y values is from 0 to about 15; and X is any compatible anion.

Highly preferred cationic surfactants are the water-soluble quaternary ammonium compounds useful in the present composition having the formula:

    R.sub.1 R.sub.2 R.sub.3 R.sub.4 N.sup.+ X.sup.-            (i)

wherein R₁ is C₈ -C₁₆ alkyl, each of R₂, R₃ and R₄ is independently C₁ -C₄ alkyl, C₁ -C₄ hydroxy alkyl, benzyl, and --(C₂ H₄₀)_(x) H where x has a value from 2 to 5, and X is an anion. Not more than one of R₂, R₃ or R₄ should be benzyl. The preferred alkyl chain length for R₁ is C₁₂ -C₁₅ particularly where the alkyl group is a mixture of chain lengths derived from coconut or palm kernel fat or is derived synthetically by olefin build up or OXO alcohols synthesis. Preferred groups for R₂ R₃ and R₄ are methyl and hydroxyethyl groups and the anion X may be selected from halide, methosulphate, acetate and phosphate ions. Examples of suitable quaternary ammonium compounds of formulae (i) for use herein are:

coconut trimethyl ammonium chloride or bromide;

coconut methyl dihydroxyethyl ammonium chloride or bromide;

decyl triethyl ammonium chloride;

decyl dimethyl hydroxyethyl ammonium chloride or bromide;

C₁₂₋₁₅ dimethyl hydroxyethyl ammonium chloride or bromide;

coconut dimethyl hydroxyethyl ammonium chloride or bromide;

myristyl trimethyl ammonium methyl sulphate;

lauryl dimethyl benzyl ammonium chloride or bromide;

lauryl dimethyl (ethenoxy)₄ ammonium chloride or bromide;

choline esters (compounds of formula (i) wherein R₁ is ##STR6## alkyl and R₂ R₃ R₄ are methyl). di-alkyl imidazolines [compounds of formula (i)].

Other cationic surfactants useful herein are also described in U.S. Pat. No. 4,228,044, Cambre, issued Oct. 14, 1980 and in European Patent Application EP 000,224.

Quaternary ammonium surfactants have the formula (I): ##STR7## whereby R1 is a short chainlength alkyl (C6-C10) or alkylamidoalkyl of the formula (II): ##STR8## y is 2-4, preferably 3, whereby R2 is H or a C1-C3 alkyl,

whereby x is 0-4, preferably 0-2, most preferably 0,

whereby R3, R4 and R5 are either the same or different and can be either a short chain alkyl (C1-C3) or alkoxylated alkyl of the formula III,

whereby X⁻ is a counterion, preferably a halide, e.g. chloride or methylsulfate. ##STR9## R6 is C₁ -C₄ and z is 1 or 2.

Preferred quat ammonium surfactants are those as defined in formula I whereby

R₁ is C₈, C₁₀ or mixtures thereof, x=o,

R₃, R₄ =CH₃ and R₅ =CH₂ CH₂ OH.

When included therein, the laundry detergent compositions of the present invention typically comprise from 0.2% to about 25%, preferably from about 1% to about 8% by weight of such cationic surfactants.

Ampholytic surfactants are also suitable for use in the laundry detergent compositions of the present invention. These surfactants can be broadly described as aliphatic derivatives of secondary or tertiary amines, or aliphatic derivatives of heterocyclic secondary and tertiary amines in which the aliphatic radical can be straight- or branched-chain. One of the aliphatic substituents contains at least about 8 carbon atoms, typically from about 8 to about 18 carbon atoms, and at least one contains an anionic water-solubilizing group, e.g. carboxy, sulfonate, sulfate. See U.S. Pat. No. 3,929,678 to Laughlin et al., issued Dec. 30, 1975 at column 19, lines 18-35, for examples of ampholytic surfactants.

When included therein, the laundry detergent compositions of the present invention typically comprise from 0.2% to about 15%, preferably from about 1% to about 10% by weight of such ampholytic surfactants.

Zwitterionic surfactants are also suitable for use in laundry detergent compositions. These surfactants can be broadly described as derivatives of secondary and tertiary amines, derivatives of heterocyclic secondary and tertiary amines, or derivatives of quaternary ammonium, quaternary phosphonium or tertiary sulfonium compounds. See U.S. Pat. No. 3,929,678 to Laughlin et al., issued Dec. 30, 1975 at column 19, line 38 through column 22, line 48, for examples of zwitterionic surfactants.

When included therein, the laundry detergent compositions of the present invention typically comprise from 0.2% to about 15%, preferably from about 1% to about 10% by weight of such zwitterionic surfactants.

Semi-polar nonionic surfactants are a special category of nonionic surfactants which include water-soluble amine oxides containing one alkyl moiety of from about 10 to about 18 carbon atoms and 2 moieties selected from the group consisting of alkyl groups and hydroxyalkyl groups containing from about 1 to about 3 carbon atoms; water-soluble phosphine oxides containing one alkyl moiety of from about 10 to about 18 carbon atoms and 2 moieties selected from the group consisting of alkyl groups and hydroxyalkyl groups containing from about 1 to about 3 carbon atoms; and water-soluble sulfoxides containing one alkyl moiety of from about 10 to about 18 carbon atoms and a moiety selected from the group consisting of alkyl and hydroxyalkyl moieties of from about 1 to about 3 carbon atoms.

Semi-polar nonionic detergent surfactants include the amine oxide surfactants having the formula ##STR10## wherein R³ is an alkyl, hydroxyalkyl, or alkyl phenyl group or mixtures thereof containing from about 8 to about 22 carbon atoms; R⁴ is an alkylene or hydroxyalkylene group containing from about 2 to about 3 carbon atoms or mixtures thereof; x is from 0 to about 3; and each R⁵ is an alkyl or hydroxyalkyl group containing from about 1 to about 3 carbon atoms or a polyethylene oxide group containing from about 1 to about 3 ethylene oxide groups. The R⁵ groups can be attached to each other, e.g., through an oxygen or nitrogen atom, to form a ring structure.

These amine oxide surfactants in particular include C₁₀ -C₁₈ alkyl dimethyl amine oxides and C₈ -C₁₂ alkoxy ethyl dihydroxy ethyl amine oxides.

When included therein, the laundry detergent compositions of the present invention typically comprise from 0.2% to about 15%, preferably from about 1% to about 10% by weight of such semi-polar nonionic surfactants.

Optional detergent ingredients:

Dispersants

Suitable water-soluble organic salts are the homo- or co-polymeric acids or their salts, in which the polycarboxylic acid comprises at least two carboxyl radicals separated from each other by not more than two carbon atoms. Polymers of this type are disclosed in GB-A-1,596,756. Examples of such salts are polyacrylates of MW 2000-5000 and their copolymers with maleic anhydride, such copolymers having a molecular weight of from 1,000 to 100,000.

Especially, copolymer of acrylate and methylacrylate such as the 480N having a molecular weight of 4000, at a level from 0.5-20% by weight of composition can be added in the detergent compositions of the present invention.

Other detergent enzymes

The detergent compositions can in addition to specific amylase enzymes further comprise one or more enzymes which provide cleaning performance and/or fabric care benefits.

Said enzymes include enzymes selected from cellulases, hemicellulases, peroxidases, proteases, gluco-amylases, other amylases, xylanases, lipases, esterases, cutinases, pectinases, reductases, oxidases, phenoloxidases, lipoxygenases, ligninases, pullulanases, tannases, pentosanases, malanases, β-glucanases, arabinosidases chondroitinase, laccase or mixtures thereof.

A preferred combination is a cleaning composition having a cocktail of conventional applicable enzymes like protease, amylase, lipase, cutinase and/or cellulase in conjunction with one or more plant cell wall degrading enzymes.

The cellulases usable in the present invention include both bacterial or fungal cellulase. Preferably, they will have a pH optimum of between 5 and 9.5. Suitable cellulases are disclosed in U.S. Pat. No. 4,435,307, Barbesgoard et al, which discloses fungal cellulase produced from Humicola insolens. Suitable cellulases are also disclosed in GB-A-2.075.028; GB-A-2.095.275 and DE-OS-2.247.832.

Examples of such cellulases are cellulases produced by a strain of Humicola insolens (Humicola grisea var. thermoidea), particularly the Humicola strain DSM 1800. Other suitable cellulases are cellulases originated from Humicola insolens having a molecular weight of about 50 KDa, an isoelectric point of 5.5 and containing 415 amino acids. Especially suitable cellulases are the cellulases having color care benefits. Examples of such cellulases are cellulases described in European patent application No. 91202879.2, filed Nov. 6, 1991 (Novo).

Peroxidase enzymes are used in combination with oxygen sources, e.g. percarbonate, perborate, persulfate, hydrogen peroxide, etc. They are used for "solution bleaching", i.e. to prevent transfer of dyes or pigments removed from substrates during wash operations to other substrates in the wash solution. Peroxidase enzymes are known in the art, and include, for example, horseradish peroxidase, ligninase, and haloperoxidase such as chloro- and bromo-peroxidase.

Peroxidase-containing detergent compositions are disclosed, for example, in PCT International Application WO 89/099813 and in European Patent application EP No. 91202882.6, filed on Nov. 6, 1991.

Said cellulases and/or peroxidases are normally incorporated in the detergent composition at levels from 0.0001% to 2% of active enzyme by weight of the detergent composition.

Preferred commercially available protease enzymes include those sold under the tradenames Alcalase, Savinase, Primase, Durazym, and Esperase by Novo Nordisk A/S (Denmark), those sold under the tradename Maxatase, Maxacal, Maxapem and Properase by Gist-Brocades, those sold by Genencor International, and those sold under the tradename Opticlean and Optimase by Solvay Enzymes. Also proteases described in our co-pending application U.S. Ser. No. 08/136,797 can be included in the detergent composition of the invention. Protease enzyme may be incorporated into the compositions in accordance with the invention at a level of from 0.0001% to 2% active enzyme by weight of the composition.

It has been found that combination of specific amylase enzyme at said levels with protease, enhance the overall cleaning and stain removal performance.

Other preferred enzymes that can be included in the detergent compositions of the present invention include lipases. Suitable lipase enzymes for detergent usage include those produced by microorganisms of the Pseudomonas group, such as Pseudomonas stutzeri ATCC 19.154, as disclosed in British Patent 1,372,034. Suitable lipases include those which show a positive immunological cross-reaction with the antibody of the lipase, produced by the microorganism Pseudomonas fluorescent IAM 1057. This lipase is available from Amano Pharmaceutical Co. Ltd., Nagoya, Japan, under the trade name Lipase P "Amano," hereinafter referred to as "Amano-P". Especially suitable lipases are lipases such as M1 Lipase® and Lipomax® (Gist-Brocades) and Lipolase® and Lipolase Ultra® (Novo) which have found to be very effective when used in combination with the compositions of the present invention.

Also suitable are cutinases [EC 3.1.1.50] which can be considered as a special kind of lipase, namely lipases which do not require interfacial activation. Suitable cutinases are described in WO 94/14963 and WO 94/14964. Addition of cutinases to detergent compositions have been described in e.g. WO-A-88/09367 (Genencor).

The lipases and/or cutinases are normally incorporated in the detergent composition at levels from 0.0001% to 2% of active enzyme by weight of the detergent composition.

Other amylases (α and/or β) can be included for removal of carbohydrate-based stains. Suitable amylases are Termamyn®, (Novo Nordisk), Fungamyl® and BAN® (Novo Nordisk).

The above-mentioned enzymes may be of any suitable origin, such as vegetable, animal, bacterial, fungal and yeast origin.

Said enzymes are normally incorporated in the detergent composition at levels from 0.0001% to 2% of active enzyme by weight of the detergent composition.

Other suitable detergent ingredients that can be added are enzyme oxidation scavengers which are described in the copending European patent application 92870018.6 filed on Jan. 31, 1992. Examples of such enzyme oxidation scavengers are ethoxylated tetraethylene polyamines.

Color care benefits

Especially preferred detergent ingredients are combinations with technologies which also provide a type of color care benefit. Examples of these technologies are metallo catalysts for color maintenance. Such metallo catalysts are described in the European patent EP 0 596 184 and in the copending European Patent Application No. 94870206.3.

Bleaching agent

Bleach systems that can be included in the detergent compositions of the present invention include bleaching agents such as PB1, PB4 and percarbonate with a particle size of 400-800 microns. These bleaching agent components can include one or more oxygen bleaching agents and, depending upon the bleaching agent chosen, one or more bleach activators. When present oxygen bleaching compounds will typically be present at levels of from about 1% to about 25%. In general, bleaching compounds are optional components in non-liquid formulations, e.g. granular detergents.

The bleaching agent component for use herein can be any of the bleaching agents useful for detergent compositions including oxygen bleaches as well as others known in the art.

The bleaching agent suitable for the present invention can be an activated or non-activated bleaching agent.

One category of oxygen bleaching agent that can be used encompasses percarboxylic acid bleaching agents and salts thereof. Suitable examples of this class of agents include magnesium monoperoxyphthalate hexahydrate, the magnesium salt of meta-chloro perbenzoic acid, 4-nonylamino-4-oxoperoxybytyric acid and diperoxydodecanedioic acid. Such bleaching agents are disclosed in U.S. Pat. No. 4,483,781, U.S. patent application Ser. No. 740,446, European Patent Application 0,133,354 and U.S. Pat. No. 4,412,934. Highly preferred bleaching agents also include 6-nonylamino-6-oxoperoxycaproic acid as described in U.S. Pat. No. 4,634,551.

Another category of bleaching agents that can be used encompasses the halogen bleaching agents. Examples of hypohalite bleaching agents, for example, include trichloro isocyanuric acid and the sodium and potassium dichloroisocyanurates and N-chloro and N-bromo alkane sulphonamides. Such materials are normally added at 0.5-10% by weight of the finished product, preferably 1-5% by weight.

The hydrogen peroxide releasing agents can be used in combination with bleach activators such as tetraacetylethylenediamine (TAED), nonanoyloxybenzene-sulfonate (NOBS, described in U.S. Pat. No. 4,412,934), 3,5-trimethylhexanoloxybenzenesulfonate (ISONOBS, described in EP 120,591) or pentaacetylglucose (PAG), which are perhydrolyzed to form a peracid as the active bleaching species, leading to improved bleaching effect. Also suitable activators are acylated citrate esters such as disclosed in Copending European Patent Application No. 91870207.7.

Useful bleaching agents, including peroxyacids and bleaching systems comprising bleach activators and peroxygen bleaching compounds for use in detergent compositions according to the invention are described in our co-pending applications U.S. Ser. No. 08/136,626, PCT/US95/07823, WO95/27772, WO95/27773, WO95/27774 and WO95/27775.

The hydrogen peroxide may also be present by adding an enzymatic system (i.e. an enzyme and a substrate therefore) which is capable of generating hydrogen peroxide at the beginning or during the washing and/or rinsing process. Such enzymatic systems are disclosed in EP Patent Application 91202655.6 filed Oct. 9, 1991.

Bleaching agents other than oxygen bleaching agents are also known in the art and can be utilized herein. One type of non-oxygen bleaching agent of particular interest includes photoactivated bleaching agents such as the sulfonated zinc and/or aluminum phthalocyanines. These materials can be deposited upon the substrate during the washing process. Upon irradiation with light, in the presence of oxygen, such as by hanging clothes out to dry in the daylight, the sulfonated zinc phthalocyanine is activated and, consequently, the substrate is bleached. Preferred zinc phthalocyanine and a photoactivated bleaching process are described in U.S. Pat. No. 4,033,718. Typically, detergent compositions will contain about 0.025% to about 1.25%, by weight, of sulfonated zinc phthalocyanine.

Builder system

The compositions according to the present invention may further comprise a builder system.

Any conventional builder system is suitable for use herein including aluminosilicate materials, silicates, polycarboxylates and fatty acids, materials such as ethylenediamine tetraacetate, diethylene triamine pentamethyleneacetate, metal ion sequestrants such as aminopolyphosphonates, particularly ethylenediamine tetramethylene phosphonic acid and diethylene triamine pentamethylenephosphonic acid. Though less preferred for obvious environmental reasons, phosphate builders can also be used herein.

Suitable builders can be an inorganic ion exchange material, commonly an inorganic hydrated aluminosilicate material, more particularly a hydrated synthetic zeolite such as hydrated zeolite A, X, B, HS or MAP.

Another suitable inorganic builder material is layered silicate, e.g. SKS-6 (Hoechst). SKS-6 is a crystalline layered silicate consisting of sodium silicate (Na₂ Si₂ O₅).

Suitable polycarboxylates containing one carboxy group include lactic acid, glycolic acid and ether derivatives thereof as disclosed in Belgian Patent Nos. 831,368, 821,369 and 821,370. Polycarboxylates containing two carboxy groups include the water-soluble salts of succinic acid, malonic acid, (ethylenedioxy) diacetic acid, maleic acid, diglycollic acid, tartaric acid, tartronic acid and fumaric acid, as well as the ether carboxylates described in German Offenlegenschrift 2,446,686, and 2,446,687 and U.S. Pat. No. 3,935,257 and the sulfinyl carboxylates described in Belgian Patent No. 840,623. Polycarboxylates containing three carboxy groups include, in particular, water-soluble citrates, aconitrates and citraconates as well as succinate derivatives such as the carboxymethyloxysuccinates described in British Patent No. 1,379,241, lactoxysuccinates described in Netherlands Application 7205873, and the oxypolycarboxylate materials such as 2-oxa-1,1,3-propane tricarboxylates described in British Patent No. 1,387,447.

Polycarboxylates containing four carboxy groups include oxydisuccinates disclosed in British Patent No. 1,261,829, 1,1,2,2-ethane tetracarboxylates, 1,1,3,3-propane tetracarboxylates and 1,1,2,3-propane tetracarboxylates. Polycarboxylates containing sulfo substituents include the sulfosuccinate derivatives disclosed in British Patent Nos. 1,398,421 and 1,398,422 and in U.S. Pat. No. 3,936,448, and the sulfonated pyrolysed citrates described in British Patent No. 1,082,179, while polycarboxylates containing phosphone substituents are disclosed in British Patent No. 1,439,000.

Alicyclic and heterocyclic polycarboxylates include cyclopentane-cis,cis,cis-tetracarboxylates, cyclopentadienide pentacarboxylates, 2,3,4,5-tetrahydro-furan-cis, cis, cis-tetracarboxylates, 2,5-tetrahydro-furan-cis-dicarboxylates, 2,2,5,5-tetrahydrofuran-tetracarboxylates, 1,2,3,4,5,6-hexane-hexacarboxylates and carboxymethyl derivatives of polyhydric alcohols such as sorbitol, mannitol and xylitol. Aromatic polycarboxylates include mellitic acid, pyromellitic acid and the phthalic acid derivatives disclosed in British Patent No. 1,425,343.

Of the above, the preferred polycarboxylates are hydroxycarboxylates containing up to three carboxy groups per molecule, more particularly citrates.

Preferred builder systems for use in the present compositions include a mixture of a water-insoluble aluminosilicate builder such as zeolite A or of a layered silicate (SKS-6), and a water-soluble carboxylate chelating agent such as citric acid.

A suitable chelant for inclusion in the detergent compositions in accordance with the invention is ethylenediamine-N,N'-disuccinic acid (EDDS) or the alkali metal, alkaline earth metal, ammonium, or substituted ammonium salts thereof, or mixtures thereof. Preferred EDDS compounds are the free acid form and the sodium or magnesium salt thereof. Examples of such preferred sodium salts of EDDS include Na₂ EDDS and Na₄ EDDS. Examples of such preferred magnesium salts of EDDS include MgEDDS and Mg₂ EDDS. The magnesium salts are the most preferred for inclusion in compositions in accordance with the invention.

Preferred builder systems include a mixture of a water-insoluble aluminosilicate builder such as zeolite A, and a watersoluble carboxylate chelating agent such as citric acid.

Other builder materials that can form part of the builder system for use in granular compositions include inorganic materials such as alkali metal carbonates, bicarbonates, silicates, and organic materials such as the organic phosphonates, amino polyalkylene phosphonates and amino polycarboxylates.

Other suitable water-soluble organic salts are the homo- or co-polymeric acids or their salts, in which the polycarboxylic acid comprises at least two carboxyl radicals separated from each other by not more than two carbon atoms.

Polymers of this type are disclosed in GB-A-1,596,756. Examples of such salts are polyacrylates of MW 2000-5000 and their copolymers with maleic anhydride, such copolymers having a molecular weight of from 20,000 to 70,000, especially about 40,000.

Detergency builder salts are normally included in amounts of from 10% to 80% by weight of the composition preferably from 20% to 70% and most usually from 30% to 60% by weight.

Suds suppressor

Another optional ingredient is a suds suppressor, exemplified by silicones, and silica-silicone mixtures. Silicones can be generally represented by alkylated polysiloxane materials while silica is normally used in finely divided forms exemplified by silica aerogels and xerogels and hydrophobic silicas of various types. These materials can be incorporated as particulates in which the suds suppressor is advantageously releasably incorporated in a water-soluble or water-dispersible, substantially non-surface-active detergent impermeable carrier. Alternatively the suds suppressor can be dissolved or dispersed in a liquid carrier and applied by spraying on to one or more of the other components.

A preferred silicone suds controlling agent is disclosed in Bartollota et al. U.S. Pat. No. 3,933,672. Other particularly useful suds suppressors are the self-emulsifying silicone suds suppressors, described in German Patent Application DTOS 2 646 126 published Apr. 28, 1977. An example of such a compound is DC-544, commercially available from Dow Corning, which is a siloxane-glycol copolymer. Especially preferred suds controlling agent are the suds suppressor system comprising a mixture of silicone oils and 2-alkyl-alcanols. Suitable 2-alkyl-alkanols are 2-bytyl-octanol which are commercially available under the trade name Isofol 12 R. Such suds suppressor system are described in Copending European Patent application N 92870174.7 filed Nov. 10, 1992.

Especially preferred silicone suds controlling agents are described in Copending European Patent application N^(o) 92201649.8. Said compositions can comprise a silicone/silica mixture in combination with fumed non-porous silica such as Aerosil®.

The suds suppressors described above are normally employed at levels of from 0.001% to 2% by weight of the composition, preferably from 0.01% to 1% by weight.

Others

Other components used in detergent compositions may be employed, such as soil-suspending agents, soil-release agents, optical brighteners, abrasives, bactericides, tarnish inhibitors, coloring agents, and/or encapsulated or non-encapsulated perfumes.

Especially suitable encapsulating materials are water soluble capsules which consist of a matrix of polysaccharide and polyhydroxy compounds such as described in GB 1,464,616.

Other suitable water soluble encapsulating materials comprise dextrins derived from ungelatinized starch acid-esters of substituted dicarboxylic acids such as described in U.S. Pat. No. 3,455,838. These acid-ester dextrins are, preferably, prepared from such starches as waxy maize, waxy sorghum, sago, tapioca and potato. Suitable examples of said encapsulating materials include N-Lok manufactured by National Starch. The N-Lok encapsulating material consists of a modified maize starch and glucose. The starch is modified by adding monofunctional substituted groups such as octenyl succinic acid anhydride.

Antiredeposition and soil suspension agents suitable herein include cellulose derivatives such as methylcellulose, carboxymethylcellulose and hydroxyethylcellulose, and homo- or co-polymeric polycarboxylic acids or their salts. Polymers of this type include the polyacrylates and maleic anhydride-acrylic acid copolymers previously mentioned as builders, as well as copolymers of maleic anhydride with ethylene, methylvinyl ether or methacrylic acid, the maleic anhydride constituting at least 20 mole percent of the copolymer. These materials are normally used at levels of from 0.5% to 10% by weight, more preferably from 0.75% to 8%, most preferably from 1% to 6% by weight of the composition.

Preferred optical brighteners are anionic in character, examples of which are disodium 4,4'-bis-(2-diethanolamino-4-anilino-s-triazin-6-ylamino)stilbene-2:2' disulphonate, disodium 4,4'-bis-(2-morpholino-4-anilino-s-triazin-6-ylamino-stilbene-2:2'-disulphonate, disodium 4,4'-bis-(2,4-dianilino-s-triazin-6-ylamino)stilbene-2:2'-disulphonate, monosodium 4',4"-bis-(2,4-dianilino-s-tri-azin-6 ylamino)stilbene-2-sulphonate, disodium 4,4'-bis-(2-anilino-4-(N-methyl-N-2-hydroxyethylamino)-s-triazin-6-ylamino)stilbene-2,2'-disulphonate, di-sodium 4,4'-bis-(4-phenyl-2,1,3-triazol-2-yl)-stilbene-2,2' disulphonate, di-sodium 4,4'bis(2-anilino-4-(1-methyl-2-hydroxyethylamino)-s-triazin-6-ylami-no)stilbene-2,2'disulphonate, sodium 2(stilbyl-4"-(naphtho-1',2':4,5)-1,2,3-triazole-2"-sulphonate and 4,4'-bis(2-sulphostyryl)biphenyl. Highly preferred brighteners are the specific brighteners of copending European Patent application No. 95201943.8.

Other useful polymeric materials are the polyethylene glycols, particularly those of molecular weight 1000-10000, more particularly 2000 to 8000 and most preferably about 4000. These are used at levels of from 0.20% to 5% more preferably from 0.25% to 2.5% by weight. These polymers and the previously mentioned homo- or co-polymeric polycarboxylate salts are valuable for improving whiteness maintenance, fabric ash deposition, and cleaning performance on clay, proteinaceous and oxidizable soils in the presence of transition metal impurities.

Soil release agents useful in compositions of the present invention are conventionally copolymers or terpolymers of terephthalic acid with ethylene glycol and/or propylene glycol units in various arrangements. Examples of such polymers are disclosed in the commonly assigned U.S. Pat. Nos. 4,116,885 and 4,711,730 and European Published Patent Application No. 0 272 033. A particular preferred polymer in accordance with EP-A-0 272 033 has the formula

    (CH.sub.3 (PEG).sub.43).sub.0.75 (POH).sub.0.25 [T-PO).sub.2.8 (T-PEG).sub.0.4 ]T(PO-H).sub.0.25 ((PEG).sub.43 CH.sub.3).sub.0.75

where PEG is --(OC₂ H₄)O--, PO is (OC₃ H₆ O) and T is (pcOC₆ H₄ CO).

Also very useful are modified polyesters as random copolymers of dimethyl terephthalate, dimethyl sulfoisophthalate, ethylene glycol and 1-2 propane diol, the end groups consisting primarily of sulphobenzoate and secondarily of mono esters of ethylene glycol and/or propane-diol. The target is to obtain a polymer capped at both end by sulphobenzoate groups, "primarily", in the present context most of said copolymers herein will be end-capped by sulphobenzoate groups. However, some copolymers will be less than fully capped, and therefore their end groups may consist of monoester of ethylene glycol and/or propane 1-2 diol, thereof consist "secondarily" of such species.

The selected polyesters herein contain about 46% by weight of dimethyl terephthalic acid, about 16% by weight of propane -1.2 diol, about 10% by weight ethylene glycol about 13% by weight of dimethyl sulfobenzoic acid and about 15% by weight of sulfoisophthalic acid, and have a molecular weight of about 3.000. The polyesters and their method of preparation are described in detail in EPA 311 342.

Is is well known in the art that free chlorine in tap water rapidly deactivates the enzymes comprised in detergent compositions. Therefore, using chlorine scavenger such as perborate, ammonium sulfate, sodium sulphite or polyethyleneimine at a level above 0.1% by weight of total composition, in the formulas will provide improved through the wash stability of the amylase enzymes. Compositions comprising chlorine scavenger are described in the European patent application 92870018.6 filed Jan. 31, 1992.

Softening agents

Fabric softening agents can also be incorporated into laundry detergent compositions in accordance with the present invention. These agents may be inorganic or organic in type. Inorganic softening agents are exemplified by the smectite clays disclosed in GB-A-1 400 898 and in U.S. Pat. No. 5,019,292. organic fabric softening agents include the water insoluble tertiary amines as disclosed in GB-A 1 514 276 and EP-B0 011 340 and their combination with mono C12-C14 quaternary ammonium salts are disclosed in EP-B-0 026 527 and EP-B-0 026 528 and di-long-chain amides as disclosed in EP-B-0 242 919. Other useful organic ingredients of fabric softening systems include high molecular weight polyethylene oxide materials as disclosed in EP-A-0 299 575 and 0 313 146.

Levels of smectite clay are normally in the range from 2% to 20%, more preferably from 5% to 15% by weight, with the material being added as a dry mixed component to the remainder of the formulation. Organic fabric softening agents such as the water-insoluble tertiary amines or dilong chain amide materials are incorporated at levels of from 0.5% to 5% by weight, normally from 1% to 3% by weight whilst the high molecular weight polyethylene oxide materials and the water soluble cationic materials are added at levels of from 0.1% to 2%, normally from 0.15% to 1.5% by weight. These materials are normally added to the spray dried portion of the composition, although in some instances it may be more convenient to add them as a dry mixed particulate, or spray them as molten liquid on to other solid components of the composition.

Dye transfer inhibition

The detergent composition of the present invention can also include compounds for inhibiting dye transfer from one fabric to another of solubilized and suspended dyes encountered during fabric laundering operations involving colored fabrics.

Polymeric dye transfer inhibiting agents

The detergent compositions according to the present invention also comprise from 0.001% to 10%, preferably from 0.01% to 2%, more preferably from 0.05% to 1% by weight of polymeric dye transfer inhibiting agents. Said polymeric dye transfer inhibiting agents are normally incorporated into detergent compositions in order to inhibit the transfer of dyes from colored fabrics onto fabrics washed therewith. These polymers have the ability to complex or adsorb the fugitive dyes washed out of dyed fabrics before the dyes have the opportunity to become attached to other articles in the wash.

Especially suitable polymeric dye transfer inhibiting agents are polyamine N-oxide polymers, copolymers of N-vinylpyrrolidone and N-vinylimidazole, polyvinylpyrrolidone polymers, polyvinyloxazolidones and polyvinylimidazoles or mixtures thereof.

Addition of such polymers also enhances the performance of the enzymes according the invention.

a) Polyamine N-oxide polymers

The polyamine N-oxide polymers suitable for use contain units having the following structure formula: ##STR11## wherein P is a polymerisable unit, whereto the R--N--O group can be attached to or wherein the R--N--O group forms part of the polymerisable unit or a combination of both. ##STR12##

R are aliphatic, ethoxylated aliphatics, aromatic, heterocyclic or alicyclic groups or any combination thereof whereto the nitrogen of the N--O group can be attached or wherein the nitrogen of the N--O group is part of these groups.

The N--O group can be represented by the following general structures: ##STR13## wherein R1, R2and R3 are aliphatic groups, aromatic, heterocyclic or alicyclic groups or combinations thereof, x or/and y or/and z is 0 or 1 and wherein the nitrogen of the N--O group can be attached or wherein the nitrogen of the N--O group forms part of these groups.

The N--O group can be part of the polymerisable unit (P) or can be attached to the polymeric backbone or a combination of both.

Suitable polyamine N-oxides wherein the N--O group forms part of the polymerisable unit comprise polyamine N-oxides wherein R is selected from aliphatic, aromatic, alicyclic or heterocyclic groups.

One class of said polyamine N-oxides comprises the group of polyamine N-oxides wherein the nitrogen of the N--O group forms part of the R-group. Preferred polyamine N-oxides are those wherein R is a heterocyclic group such as pyrridine, pyrrole, imidazole, pyrrolidine, piperidine, quinoline, acridine and derivatives thereof.

Another class of said polyamine N-oxides comprises the group of polyamine N-oxides wherein the nitrogen of the N--O group is attached to the R-group.

Other suitable polyamine N-oxides are the polyamine oxides whereto the N--O group is attached to the polymerisable unit. Preferred class of these polyamine N-oxides are the polyamine N-oxides having the general formula (I) wherein R is an aromatic, heterocyclic or alicyclic groups wherein the nitrogen of the N--O functional group is part of said R group.

Examples of these classes are polyamine oxides wherein R is a heterocyclic compound such as pyrridine, pyrrole, imidazole and derivatives thereof.

Another preferred class of polyamine N-oxides are the polyamine oxides having the general formula (I) wherein R are aromatic, heterocyclic or alicyclic groups wherein the nitrogen of the N--O functional group is attached to said R groups.

Examples of these classes are polyamine oxides wherein R groups can be aromatic such as phenyl.

Any polymer backbone can be used as long as the amine oxide polymer formed is water-soluble and has dye transfer inhibiting properties. Examples of suitable polymeric backbones are polyvinyls, polyalkylenes, polyesters, polyethers, polyamide, polyimides, polyacrylates and mixtures thereof.

The amine N-oxide polymers of the present invention typically have a ratio of amine to the amine N-oxide of 10:1 to 1:1000000. However the amount of amine oxide groups present in the polyamine oxide polymer can be varied by appropriate copolymerization or by appropriate degree of N-oxidation. Preferably, the ratio of amine to amine N-oxide is from 2:3 to 1:1000000. More preferably from 1:4 to 1:1000000, most preferably from 1:7 to 1:1000000. The polymers of the present invention actually encompass random or block copolymers where one monomer type is an amine N-oxide and the other monomer type is either an amine N-oxide or not. The amine oxide unit of the polyamine N-oxides has a PKa<10, preferably PKa<7, more preferred PKa<6. The polyamine oxides can be obtained in almost any degree of polymerisation. The degree of polymerisation is not critical provided the material has the desired water-solubility and dye-suspending power.

Typically, the average molecular weight is within the range of 500 to 1000,000; preferably from 1,000 to 50,000, more preferably from 2,000 to 30,000, most preferably from 3,000 to 20,000.

b) Copolymers of N-vinylpyrrolidone and N-vinylimidazole

The N-vinylimidazole N-vinylpyrrolidone polymers used in the present invention have an average molecular weight range from 5,000-1,000,000, preferably from 5,000-200,000.

Highly preferred polymers for use in detergent compositions according to the present invention comprise a polymer selected from N-vinylimidazole N-vinylpyrrolidone copolymers wherein said polymer has an average molecular weight range from 5,000 to 50,000 more preferably from 8,000 to 30,000, most preferably from 10,000 to 20,000. The average molecular weight range was determined by light scattering as described in Barth H. G. and Mays J. W. Chemical Analysis Vol 113, "Modern Methods of Polymer Characterization".

Highly preferred N-vinylimidazole N-vinylpyrrolidone copolymers have an average molecular weight range from 5,000 to 50,000; more preferably from 8,000 to 30,000; most preferably from 10,000 to 20,000.

The N-vinylimidazole N-vinylpyrrolidone copolymers characterized by having said average molecular weight range provide excellent dye transfer inhibiting properties while not adversely affecting the cleaning performance of detergent compositions formulated therewith.

The N-vinylimidazole N-vinylpyrrolidone copolymer of the present invention has a molar ratio of N-vinylimidazole to N-vinylpyrrolidone from 1 to 0.2, more preferably from 0.8 to 0.3, most preferably from 0.6 to 0.4.

c) Polyvinylpyrrolidone

The detergent compositions of the present invention may also utilize polyvinylpyrrolidone ("PVP") having an average molecular weight of from about 2,500 to about 400,000, preferably from about 5,000 to about 200,000, more preferably from about 5,000 to about 50,000, and most preferably from about 5,000 to about 15,000. Suitable polyvinylpyrrolidones are commercially available from ISP Corporation, New York, N.Y. and Montreal, Canada under the product names PVP K-15 (viscosity molecular weight of 10,000), PVP K-30 (average molecular weight of 40,000), PVP K-60 (average molecular weight of 160,000), and PVP K-90 (average molecular weight of 360,000). Other suitable polyvinylpyrrolidones which are commercially available from BASF Cooperation include Sokalan HP 165 and Sokalan HP 12; polyvinylpyrrolidones known to persons skilled in the detergent field (see for example EP-A-262,897 and EP-A-256,696).

d) Polyvinyloxazolidone:

The detergent compositions of the present invention may also utilize polyvinyloxazolidone as a polymeric dye transfer inhibiting agent. Said polyvinyloxazolidones have an average molecular weight of from about 2,500 to about 400,000, preferably from about 5,000 to about 200,000, more preferably from about 5,000 to about 50,000, and most preferably from about 5,000 to about 15,000.

e) Polyvinylimidazole:

The detergent compositions of the present invention may also utilize polyvinylimidazole as polymeric dye transfer inhibiting agent. Said polyvinylimidazoles have an average about 2,500 to about 400,000, preferably from about 5,000 to about 200,000, more preferably from about 5,000 to about 50,000, and most preferably from about 5,000 to about 15,000.

f) Cross-linked polymers:

Cross-linked polymers are polymers whose backbone are interconnected to a certain degree; these links can be of chemical or physical nature, possibly with active groups n the backbone or on branches; cross-linked polymers have been described in the Journal of Polymer Science, volume 22, pages 1035-1039.

In one embodiment, the cross-linked polymers are made in such a way that they form a three-dimensional rigid structure, which can entrap dyes in the pores formed by the three-dimensional structure. In another embodiment, the cross-linked polymers entrap the dyes by swelling.

Such cross-linked polymers are described in the co-pending patent application 94870213.9.

Method of washing

The cleaning compositions according to the invention can be liquid, paste, gels, bars, tablets, powder or granular forms. Granular compositions can also be in "compact" form, the liquid compositions can also be in a "concentrated" form.

The compositions of the invention may be formulated as hand and machine laundry detergent compositions including laundry additive compositions and compositions suitable for use in the pretreatment or soaking of stained fabric, rinse added fabric softener compositions.

The compositions of the invention may be used in essentially any washing or cleaning methods, including soaking methods, pretreatment methods and methods with rinsing steps for which a separate rinse aid composition may be added.

The process described herein comprises contacting fabrics with a laundering solution in the usual manner and exemplified hereunder.

The process of the invention is conveniently carried out in the course of the cleaning process. The method of cleaning is preferably carried out at 5° C. to 95° C., especially between 10° C. and 60° C. The pH of the treatment solution is preferably from 7 to 11.

A preferred machine dishwashing method comprises treating soiled articles with an aqueous solution of the machine dishwashing or rinsing composition. A conventional effective amount of the machine dishwashing composition means from 8-60 g of product dissolved or dispersed in a wash volume from 3-10 liters.

According to a manual dishwashing method, soiled dishes are contacted with an effective amount of the dishwashing composition, typically from 0.5-20 g (per 25 dishes being treated). Preferred manual dishwashing methods include the application of a concentrated solution to the surfaces of the dishes or the soaking in large volume of dilute solution of the detergent composition.

The compositions of the invention may also be formulated as hard surface cleaner compositions.

The following examples are meant to exemplify compositions of the present invention, but are not necessarily meant to limit or otherwise define the scope of the invention.

In the detergent compositions, the level of the enzymes are expressed in pure enzyme by weight of total composition and the abbreviated component identifications have the following meanings:

    ______________________________________                                         LAS           Sodium linear C12 alkyl benzene                                                sulphonate                                                       TAS           Sodium tallow alkyl sulphate                                     XYAS          Sodium C.sub.1X -C.sub.1Y alkyl sulfate                          SAS           C.sub.12 -C.sub.14 secondary (2,3) alkyl sulfate                               in the form of the sodium salt.                                  APG           Alkyl polyglycoside surfactant of                                              formula C.sub.12 - (glycosyl).sub.x, where x is                                1.5,                                                             AEC           Alkyl ethoxycarboxylate surfactant of                                          formula C.sub.12 ethoxy (2) carboxylate.                         SS            Secondary soap surfactant of formula                                           2-bytyl octanoic acid                                            25EY          A C.sub.12 -C.sub.15 predominantly linear                                      primary alcohol condensed with an                                              average of Y moles of ethylene oxide                             45EY          A C.sub.14 -C.sub.15 predominantly linear                                      primary alcohol condensed with an                                              average of Y moles of ethylene oxide                             XYEZS         C.sub.1X -C.sub.1Y sodium alkyl sulfate                                        condensed with an average of Z moles                                           of ethylene oxide per mole                                       Nonionic      C.sub.13 -C.sub.15 mixed                                                       ethoxylated/propoxylated fatty                                                 alcohol with an average degree of                                              ethoxylation of 3.8 and an average                                             degree of propoxylation of 4.5 sold                                            under the tradename Plurafax LF404 by                                          BASF Gmbh                                                        CFAA          C.sub.12 -C.sub.14 alkyl N-methyl glucamide                      TFAA          C.sub.16 -C.sub.18 alkyl N-methyl glucamide.                     Silicate      Amorphous Sodium Silicate (SiO.sub.2 :Na.sub.2 O                               ratio = 2.0)                                                     NaSKS-6       Crystalline layered silicate of                                                formula δ-Na.sub.2 Si.sub.2 O.sub.5                        Carbonate     Anhydrous sodium carbonate                                       Metasiiicate  Sodium metasilicate (SiO.sub.2 :Na.sub.2 O ratio =                             2.0)                                                             Phosphate or STPP                                                                            Sodium tripolyphosphate                                          MA/AA         Copolymer of 1:4 maleic/acrylic acid,                                          average molecular weight about 80,000                            PA30          Polyacrylic acid of average molecular                                          weight of approximately 8,000.                                   Terpolymer    Terpolymer of average molecular                                                weight approx. 7,000, comprising                                               acrylic:maleic:ethylacrylic acid                                               monomer units at a weight ratio of                                             60:20:20                                                         480N          Random copolymer of 3:7                                                        acrylic/methacrylic acid, average                                              molecular weight about 3,500.                                    polyacrylate  Polyacrylate homopolymer with an                                               average molecular weight of 8,000                                              sold under the tradename PA30 by BASF                                          GmbH                                                             Zeolite A     Hydrated Sodium Aluminosilicate of                                             formula Na.sub.12 (AlO.sub.2 SiO.sub.2).sub.12. 27H.sub.2                      O                                                                              having a primary particle size in the                                          range from 1 to 10 micrometers                                   Zeolite MAP   Alkali metal alumino-silicate of the                                           zeolite p type having a silicon to                                             aluminium ratio not greater than 1.33                            Citrate       Tri-sodium citrate dihydrate                                     Citric        Citric Acid                                                      Perborate     Anhydrous sodium perborate                                                     monohydrate bleach, empirical formula                                          NaBO.sub.2.H.sub.2 O.sub.2                                       FB4           Anhydrous sodium perborate                                                     tetrahydrate                                                     percarbonate  Anhydrous sodium percarbonate bleach                                           of empirical formula 2Na.sub.2 CO.sub.3.3H.sub.2 O.sub.2         TAED          Tetraacetyl ethylene diamine                                     Paraffin      Paraffin oil sold under the tradename                                          Winog 70 by Wintershall.                                         Pectinase     Pectolytic enzyme sold under the                                               tradename Pectinex AR by Novo Nordisk                                          A/S.                                                             Xyianase      Xylanolytic enzyme sold under the                                              tradenames Pulpzyme HB or SP431 by                                             Novo Nordisk A/S or Lyxasan (Gist-                                             Brocades) or Optipulp or Xylanase                                              (Solvay).                                                        Protease      Proteolytic enzyme sold under the                                              tradename Savinase, Alcalase, Maxacal                                          by Novo Nordisk A/S and proteases                                              described in patents WO91/06637                                                and/or US429882.                                                 Amyiase       Oxidative stability-enhanced amylase                                           enzyme according to the present                                                invention.                                                       Lipase        Lipolytic enzyme sold under the                                                tradename Lipolase, Lipolase Ultra by                                          Novo Nordisk A/S                                                 Peroxidase    Peroxidase enzyme                                                Cellulase     Cellulosic enzyme sold under the                                               tradename Carezyme or Celluzyme by                                             Novo Nordisk A/S.                                                CMC           Sodium carboxymethyl cellulose                                   HEDP          1,1-hydroxyethane diphosphonic acid                              DETPMP        Diethylene triamine penta (methylene                                           phosphonic acid), marketed by                                                  Monsanto under the Trade name Dequest                                          2060.                                                            PAAC          pentaamine acetate cobalt (III) sal.                             BZP           Benzoyl peroxide.                                                PvP           Polyvinyl pyrrolidone polymer.                                   PVNO          Poly(4-vinylpyridine)-N-Oxide.                                   Soil Release  Sulfonated poly-ethoxy/propoxy end                               Polymer       capped ester oligomer.                                           EDDS          Ethylenediamine-N, N'-disuccinic                                               acid, [S, S] isomer in the form of the                                         sodium salt.                                                     Suds Suppressor                                                                              25% paraffin wax Mpt 50° C., 17%                                        hydrophobic silica, 58% paraffin oil.                            Granular Suds 12% Silicone/silica, 18% stearyl                                 Suppressor    alcohol, 70% starch in granular form                             SCS           Sodium cumene sulphonate                                         Sulphate      Anhydrous sodium sulphate.                                       HMWPEO        High molecular weight polyethylene                                             oxide                                                            PGMS          Polyglycerol monostearate having a                                             tradename of Radiasurf 248                                       TAE 25        Tallow alcohol ethoxylate (25)                                   PEG(-6)       Polyethylene glycol (having a                                                  molecular weight of 600).                                        BTA           Benzotriazole                                                    Bismuth nitrate                                                                              Bismuth nitrate salt                                             NaDCC         Sodium dichloroisocyanurate                                      KOH           100% Active solution of Potassium                                              Hydroxide                                                        PZ-Base       Sugar matrix protected zeolite                                                 perfume carrier.                                                 pH            Measured as a 1% solution in                                                   distilled water at 20° C.                                 ______________________________________                                    

EXAMPLE 1

Granular fabric cleaning compositions in accord with the invention were prepared as follows:

    ______________________________________                                                   I      II      III     IV    V                                       ______________________________________                                         LAS         22.0     22.0    22.0  22.0  22.0                                  AE5         9.0      9.0     9.0   9.0   9.0                                   Phosphate   23.0     23.0    23.0  23.0  23.0                                  Carbonate   23.0     23.0    23.0  23.0  23.0                                  Silicate    14.0     14.0    14.0  14.0  14.0                                  Zeolite A   8.2      8.2     8.2   8.2   8.2                                   DETPMP      0.4      0.4     0.4   0.4   0.4                                   Sodium sulfate                                                                             5.5      5.5     5.5   5.5   5.5                                   amylase     0.005    0.02    0.01  0.01  0.02                                  Protease    0.01     0.02    0.01  0.005 --                                    Pectinase   0.02     --      --    --                                          Xylanase    --       --      0.01  0.02  --                                    Lipase      0.005    0.01    --    --    --                                    Cellulase   0.001    --      --    0.001 --                                    Water & minors                                                                             Up to 100%                                                         ______________________________________                                    

EXAMPLE 2

Granular fabric cleaning compositions in accord with the invention were prepared as follows:

    ______________________________________                                                   I      II      III     IV    V                                       ______________________________________                                         AE          6.0      6.0     6.0   6.0   6.0                                               I        II      III   IV    V                                     ______________________________________                                         LAS         12.0     12.0    12.0  12.0  12.0                                  Zeolite A   26.0     26.0    26.0  26.0  26.0                                  SS          4.0      4.0     4.0   4.0   4.0                                   SAS         5.0      5.0     5.0   5.0   5.0                                   Citrate     5.0      5.0     5.0   5.0   5.0                                   Sodium Sulfate                                                                             17.0     17.0    17.0  28.0  17.0                                  Perborate   16.0     16.0    16.0  --    16.0                                  TAED        5.0      5.0     5.0   --    5.0                                   Protease    0.06     0.03    0.02  0.08  --                                    Lipase      0.005    0.01    --    --    --                                    Amylase     0.01     0.015   0.01  0.02  0.005                                 Water & minors                                                                             Up to 100%                                                         ______________________________________                                    

EXAMPLE 3

Granular fabric cleaning compositions in accord with the invention which are especially useful in the laundering of coloured fabrics were prepared as follows:

    ______________________________________                                                         I      II       III                                            ______________________________________                                         LAS               11.4     10.7     --                                         TAS               1.8      2.4      --                                         TFAA              --       --       4.0                                        45AS              3.0      3.1      10.0                                       45E7              4.0      4.0      --                                         25E3S             --       --       3.0                                        68E11             1.8      1.8      --                                         25E5              --       --       8.0                                        Citrate           14.0     15.0     7.0                                        Carbonate         --       --       10                                         Citric            3.0      2.5      3.0                                        Zeolite A         32.5     32.1     25.0                                       Na-SKS-6          --       --       9.0                                        MA/AA             5.0      5.0      5.0                                        DETPMP            1.0      0.2      0.8                                        Protease          0.02     0.02     0.01                                       Amylase           0.03     0.03     0.005                                      Silicate          2.0      2.5      --                                         Sulphate          3.5      5.2      3.0                                        PVP               0.3      0.5      --                                         Poly (4-vinylpyridine)-N-                                                                        --       --       0.2                                        oxide/copolymer of vinyl-                                                      imidazole and vinyl-                                                           pyrrolidone       0.5      1.0      --                                         Perborate                                                                      Peroxidase        0.01     0.01     --                                         Phenol sulfonate  0.1      0.2      --                                         Water/Minors      Up to 100%                                                   ______________________________________                                    

EXAMPLE 4

Granular fabric cleaning compositions in accord with the invention were prepared as follows:

    ______________________________________                                                           I        II                                                  ______________________________________                                         LAS                 6.5        8.0                                             AE                  8.0        8.0                                             Alkyl Sulfate       15.0       18.0                                            Zeolite A           26.0       22.0                                            Sodium nitrilotriacetate                                                                           5.0        5.0                                             PVP                 0.5        0.7                                             TAED                3.0        3.0                                             Boric acid          4.0                                                        Perborate           0.5        1.0                                             Phenol sulphonate   0.1        0.2                                             Protease            0.06       0.02                                            Silicate            5.0        5.0                                             Carbonate           15.0       15.0                                            Peroxidase          0.1        0.1                                             Pectinase           0.02       --                                              Cellulase           0.005      0.002                                           Lipase              0.01       --                                              Amylase             0.01       0.01                                            Water/minors        Up to 100%                                                 ______________________________________                                    

EXAMPLE 5

A compact granular fabric cleaning composition in accord with the invention was prepared as follows:

    ______________________________________                                         45AS                   8.0                                                     25E3S                  2.0                                                     25E5                   3.0                                                     25E3                   3.0                                                     TFAA                   2.5                                                     Zeolite A              17.0                                                    NaSKS-6                12.0                                                    Citric acid            3.0                                                     Carbonate              7.0                                                     MA/AA                  5.0                                                     CMC                    0.4                                                     Poly (4-vinylpyridine)-N-oxide/                                                                       0.2                                                     copolymer of vinylimidazole and                                                vinylpyrrolidone                                                               Protease               0.05                                                    Lipase                 0.005                                                   Cellulase              0.001                                                   Amylase                0.01                                                    TAED                   6.0                                                     Percarbonate           22.0                                                    EDDS                   0.3                                                     Granular suds suppressor                                                                              3.5                                                     water/minors           Up to 100%                                              ______________________________________                                    

EXAMPLE 6

A granular fabric cleaning compositions in accord with the invention which provide "softening through the wash" capability were prepared as follows:

    ______________________________________                                                            I       II                                                  ______________________________________                                         45AS                 --        10.0                                            LAS                  7.6       --                                              68AS                 1.3       --                                              45E7                 4.0       --                                              25E3                 --        5.0                                             Coco-alkyl-dimethyl hydroxy-                                                                        1.4       1.0                                             ethyl ammonium chloride                                                        Citrate              5.0       3.0                                             Na-SKS-6             --        11.0                                            Zeolite A            15.0      15.0                                            MA/AA                4.0       4.0                                             DETPMP               0.4       0.4                                             Perborate            15.0      --                                              Percarbonate         --        15.0                                            TAED                 5.0       5.0                                             Smectite clay        10.0      10.0                                            HMWPEO               --        0.1                                             Protease             0.02      0.01                                            Lipase               0.02      0.01                                            Amylase              0.03      0.005                                           Cellulase            0.001     --                                              Silicate             3.0       5.0                                             Carbonate            10.0      10.0                                            Granular suds suppressor                                                                            1.0       4.0                                             CMC                  0.2       0.1                                             Water/minors         Up to 100%                                                ______________________________________                                    

EXAMPLE 7

Heavy duty liquid fabric cleaning compositions suitable for use in the pretreatment of stained fabrics, and for use in a machine laundering method, in accord with the invention were prepared as follows:

    ______________________________________                                                    I     II      III     IV    V                                       ______________________________________                                         24AS         20.0    20.0    20.0  20.0  20.0                                  SS           5.0     5.0     5.0   5.0   5.0                                   Citrate      1.0     1.0     1.0   1.0   1.0                                   12E.sub.3    13.0    13.0    13.0  13.0  13.0                                  Monethanolamine                                                                             2.5     2.5     2.5   2.5   2.5                                   Protease     0.005   0.03    0.02  0.04  0.01                                  Lipase       0.002   0.01    0.02  --    0.004                                 Amylase      0.005   0.005   0.0o1 0.01  0.004                                 Cellulase    0.04    --      0.01  --    --                                    Pectinase    0.02    0.02    --    --    --                                    Water/propylene glycol/ethanol (100:1:1)                                       ______________________________________                                    

EXAMPLE 8

Heavy duty liquid fabric cleaning compositions in accord with the invention were prepared as follows:

    ______________________________________                                                        I     II      III     IV                                        ______________________________________                                         LAS acid form    --      --      25.0  --                                      C.sub.12 -14 alkenyl succinic                                                                   3.0     8.0     10.0  --                                      acid                                                                           Citric acid      10.0    15.0    2.0   2.0                                     25AS acid form   8.0     8.0     --    15.0                                    25AE3S acid form --      3.0     --    4.0                                     25AE7            --      8.0     --    6.0                                     25AE3            8.0     --      4.0   --                                      CFAA             --      --      --    6.0                                     N-Cocoyl N-methyl                                                                               --      --      4.0   --                                      glucamine                                                                      DETPMP           0.2     --      1.0   1.0                                     Fatty acid       --      --      --    10.0                                    Oleic acid       1.8     --      1.0   --                                      Ethanol          4.0     4.0     6.0   2.0                                     Propanediol      2.0     2.0     6.0   10.0                                    Protease         0.02    0.02    0.02  0.01                                    Amylase          0.005   0.01    0.005 0.01                                    Coco-alkyl dimethyl                                                                             --      --      3.0   --                                      hydroxy ethyl ammonium                                                         chloride                                                                       Smectite clay    --      --      5.0   --                                      PVP              1.0     2.0     --    --                                      Perborate        --      1.0     --    --                                      Phenol sulphonate                                                                               --      0.2     --    --                                      Peroxidase       --      0.01    --    --                                      NaOH             Up to pH 7.5                                                  Waters/minors    Up to 100%                                                    ______________________________________                                    

EXAMPLE 9

The following rinse added fabric softener composition, in accord with the invention, was prepared (parts by weight).

    ______________________________________                                                Softener active                                                                               24.5                                                            PGMS           1.5                                                             Alkyl sulfate  3.5                                                             TAE 25         1.5                                                             Amylase        0.001                                                           Cellulase      0.001                                                           HCL            0.12                                                            Antifoam agent 0.019                                                           Blue dye       80 ppm                                                          CaCl.sub.2     0.35                                                            Perfume        0.90                                                     ______________________________________                                    

EXAMPLE 10

Syndet bar fabric cleaning compositions in accord with the invention were prepared as follows:

    ______________________________________                                                          I     II     III     IV                                       ______________________________________                                         C12-16 alkyl sulfate, Na                                                                          10.0    10.0   10.0  10.0                                   C12-14 N-methyl glucamide                                                                         5.0     5.0    5.0   5.0                                    C11-13 alkyl benzene                                                                              10.0    10.0   10.0  10.0                                   sulphonate, Na                                                                 Sodium carbonate   25.0    25.0   25.0  25.0                                   Sodium pyrophosphate                                                                              7.0     7.0    7.0   7.0                                    Sodium tripolyphosphate                                                                           7.0     7.0    7.0   7.0                                    Zeolite A          5.0     5.0    5.0   5.0                                    Carboxymethylcellulose                                                                            0.2     0.2    0.2   0.2                                    Polyacrylate (MW 1400)                                                                            0.2     0.2    0.2   0.2                                    Coconut monethanolamide                                                                           5.0     5.0    5.0   5.0                                    Amylase            0.01    0.02   0.0i  0.0i                                   Protease           0.3     --     0.5   0.05                                   Brightener, perfume                                                                               0.2     0.2    0.2   0.2                                    CaSO4              1.0     1.0    1.0   1.0                                    MgSO4              1.0     1.0    1.0   1.0                                    Water              4.0     4.0    4.0   4.0                                    ______________________________________                                          Filler*: balance to 100%                                                       *Can be selected from convenient materials such as CaCO3, talc, clay           (Kaolinite, Smectite), silicates, and the like.                          

EXAMPLE 11

The following compact high density (0.96 Kg/l) dishwashing detergent compositions I to VI were prepared in accord with the invention:

    ______________________________________                                                 I     II      III     IV    V    VI                                    ______________________________________                                         STPP      --      --      48.80 37.39 --   --                                  Citrate   32.95   17.05   --    --    17.05                                                                               25.40                               Carbonate --      17.50   --    20.00 20.00                                                                               25.40                               Silicate  33.00   14.81   20.36 14.81 14.81                                                                               --                                  Metasilicate                                                                             --      2.50    2.50  --    --   --                                  PB1       1.94    9.74    7.79  14.28 9.74 --                                  PB4       8.56    --      --    --    --   --                                  Percarbonate                                                                             --      --      --    --    --   6.70                                Alkyl sulfate                                                                            3.00    3.00    3.00  3.00  3.00 3.00                                Nonionic  1.50    2.00    1.50  1.50  2.00 2.60                                TAED      4.78    2.39    2.39  --    --   4.00                                HEDP      0.83    1.00    0.46  --    0.83 --                                  DETPMP    0.65    0.65    --    --    --   --                                  PAAC      --      --      --    0.20  --   --                                  BzP       --      --      --    4.44  --   --                                  Paraffin  0.50    0.50    0.50  0.50  --   0.20                                Protease  0.075   0.05    0.10  0.10  0.08 0.01                                Lipase    --      0.001   --    0.005 --   --                                  Amylase   0.01    0.005   0.015 0.015 0.005                                                                               0.0025                              BTA       0.30    0.30    0.30  0.30  --   --                                  Bismuth Nitrate                                                                          --      0.30    --    --    --   --                                  PA30      4.02    --      --    --    --   --                                  Terpolymer                                                                               --      --      --    4.00  --   --                                  480N      --      6.00    2.77  --    6.67 --                                  Sulphate  7.11    20.77   8.44  --    26.24                                                                               1.00                                pH (1% solution)                                                                         10.80   11.00   10.90 10.80 10.90                                                                               9.60                                ______________________________________                                    

EXAMPLE 12

The following granular dishwashing detergent compositions examples I to IV of bulk density 1.02 Kg/L were prepared in accord with the invention:

    ______________________________________                                                 I     II      III     IV    V     VI                                   ______________________________________                                         STPP      --      --      48.80 37.39 --    --                                 Carbonate 30.50   30.50   30.50 23.00 30.50 2.80                               Silicate  7.40    7.40    7.40  12.00 8.00  20.34                              PB1       4.40    4.40    4.40  --    4.40  --                                 NaDCC     --      --      --    2.00  --    1.50                               Alkyl sultate                                                                            1.0     1.0     1.0   2.0   2.0   1.5                                Nonionic  0.75    0.75    0.75  1.90  1.20  0.50                               TAED      1.00    1.00    --    --    1.00  --                                 PAAC      --      --      0.004 --    --    --                                 BZP       --      1.40    --    --    --    --                                 Paraffin  0.25    0.25    0.25  --    --    --                                 Protease  0.05    0.05    0.05  --    0.1   --                                 Lipase    0.005   --      0.001 --    --    --                                 Amylase   0.003   0.001   0.01  0.02  0.01  0.015                              BTA       0.15    --      0.15  --    --    --                                 Sulphate  23.90   23.90   23.90 31.40 17.40 --                                 pH (1% solution)                                                                         10.80   10.80   10.80 10.70 10.70 12.30                              ______________________________________                                    

EXAMPLE 13

The following detergent composition tablets of 25 g weight were prepared in accord with the present invention by compression of a granular dishwashing detergent composition at a pressure of 13 KN/cm² using a standard 12 head rotary press:

    ______________________________________                                                      I       II        III                                             ______________________________________                                         STPP           --        48.80     47.50                                       Citrate        26.40     --        --                                          Carbonate      --        5.00      --                                          Silicate       26.40     14.80     25.00                                       Protease       0.03      0.075     0.01                                        Lipase         0.005     --        --                                          Amylase        0.01      0.005     0.001                                       PB1            1.56      7.79      --                                          PB4            6.92      --        11.40                                       Alkyl sulfate  2.00      3.00      2.00                                        Nonionic       1.20      2.00      1.10                                        TAED           4.33      2.39      0.80                                        HEDP           0.67      --        --                                          DETPMP         0.65      --        --                                          Paraffin       0.42      0.50      --                                          BTA            0.24      0.30      --                                          PA30           3.2       --        --                                          Sulphate       25.05     14.70     3.20                                        pH (1% solution)                                                                              10.60     10.60     11.00                                       ______________________________________                                    

EXAMPLE 14

The following liquid dishwashing detergent compositions in accord with the present invention I to II, of density 1.40 Kg/L were prepared:

    ______________________________________                                                           I       II                                                   ______________________________________                                         STPP                33.30     20.0                                             Carbonate           2.70      2.00                                             Silicate            --        4.40                                             NaDCC               1.10      1.15                                             Alkyl sulfate       3.00      1.50                                             Nonionic            2.50      1.00                                             Paraffin            2.20      --                                               Protease            0.03      0.02                                             Specific Amylase Enzyme                                                                            0.005     0.0025                                           480N                0.50      4.00                                             KOH                 --        6.00                                             Sulphate            1.60      --                                               pH (1% solution)    9.10      10.00                                            ______________________________________                                    

EXAMPLE 15

The following liquid hard surface cleaning compositions were prepared in accord with the present invention:

    ______________________________________                                                  I    II      III     IV    V     VI                                   ______________________________________                                         Amylase    0.01   0.002   0.005 0.02  0.001 0.005                              Protease   0.05   0.01    0.02  0.03  0.005 0.005                              EDTA*      --     --      2.90  2.90  --    --                                 Na Citrate --     --      --    --    2.90  2.90                               NaC12 Alkyl                                                                               1.95   --      1.95  --    1.95  --                                 benzene sulfonate                                                              NiEO9      1.50   2.00    1.50  2.00  1.50  2.00                               NaCl2 Alkyl                                                                               --     2.20    --    2.20  --    2.20                               sulfate                                                                        NaC12(ethoxy)                                                                             --     2.20    --    2.20  --    2.20                               **sulfate                                                                      C12 Dimethylamine                                                                         --     0.50    --    0.5o  --    0.50                               oxide                                                                          Na Cumene  1.30   --      1.30  --    1.30  --                                 sulfonate                                                                      Hexyl Carbitol**                                                                          6.30   6.30    6.30  6.30  6.30  6.30                               Water      Balance to 100%                                                     ______________________________________                                          *Na4 ethylenediamine diacetic acid                                             **Diethylene glycol monohexyl ether                                            ***All formulas adjusted to pH 7                                         

EXAMPLE 16

The following spray composition for cleaning of hard surfaces and removing household mildew was prepared in accord with the present invention:

    ______________________________________                                                             I                                                          ______________________________________                                         Amylase               0.01                                                     Protease              0.01                                                     Sodium octyl sulfate  2.00                                                     Sodium dodecyl sulfate                                                                               4.00                                                     NIEO9                 2.00                                                     Sodium hydroxide      0.80                                                     Silicate (Na)         0.04                                                     Perfume               0.35                                                     Water/minors          up to 100%                                               ______________________________________                                     

What is claimed is:
 1. A detergent composition comprising:a) an oxidative stability-enhanced amylase derived from B. licheniformis NCIB8061 as the M197T variant, wherein said amylase comprises from 0.0001% to 0.01% pure enzyme by weight of total composition; b) a surfactant system wherein the anionic to nonionic ratio is from 1: 1 to 5:1 and wherein said anionic surfactant is selected from the group consisting of alkyl sulfate, alkyl ethoxy sulfate, linear alkyl benzene sulfonate and mixtures thereof; and c) a color care agent selected from the group consisting of metallo catalysts and mixtures thereof. 